Kum Bak Yeon(Gold Leaf Imprinting Workshop 금박연)

Kum Bak Yeon(Kumbakyeon 금박연), the Gold Leaf Imprinting workshop located in the center of Bukchon Hanok village, is owned by national important intangible cultural heritage (the gold leaf decoration) Deokhwan Kim.

The history of Kum Bak Yeon starts from the first generation, Wanhyeong Kim, during the reign of King Cheoljong of the Joseon Dynasty (1849-1863), and continued to the second generation in Wonsun Kim, (who worked as the imperial gold leaf decorator for the state funeral of the Empress Myeongseong), the third generation, Gyeongyong Kim, (who worked for the last imperial family of the Korean Empire), the fourth generation, Deokhwan Kim, (who is the holder of the important intangible cultural assets, the gold leaf decoration), and the fifth generation, Giho Kim and his wife, (who are currently operating Kumbakyeon as a family business).

As gold is a symbol of eternity, beauty and authority from old times, the clothes with gold were only used in royal family to reveal the authority of royal family and the ruler's desire for national prosperity through various pattern of gold leaf. Now they are used on the most memorable day such as the wedding day or one's 60th birthday.

Visitors to Kum Bak Yeon workshop can see each process with full explanations, and with reservations, visitors can see and experience the gold leaf imprinting.

24-12 Bukchon-ro 12-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

+82-2-730-2067

Free

Sundays